an examination of the relation between fashion and costume in Star Wars

Thursday, 22 October 2009

Amidala: Queen of Couture

This is a fun find from starwars.com!

An interview with Nick Verreos (season two Project Runway contestant, designer, and instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California) telling readers of what he thinks of the Star Wars saga attire. Here is a bit from the article:

"The most fashionable character of the saga is a toss up between Princess Leia and Queen Amidala," Verreos says. "Princess Leia's infamous metal bikini was so Paco Rabanne meets Courreges -- hot! She was the Bridgite Bardot of galaxy. In The Phantom Menace, Queen Amidala was giving us intergalactic couture. She was a Dior fashion show by John Galliano all wrapped up into one person -- a mini diva! When I first saw those Queen Amidala costumes in Vogue magazine, I remembered sketching more voluminous gowns with heavier fabrics. I fantasized that I would do a runway collection with very theatrical, bigger-than-life ensembles, something that Queen Amidala would wear. I used her as my muse and client...While Queen Amidala's style inspired Verreos to try new elements in his own designs, that doesn't mean there weren't a few fashion victims in the saga that even the Force couldn't fix. "Oh dear, Obi-Wan Kenobi and that hemp-looking robe and that 1980s Flock of Seagull-meets-Duran Duran braid of his -- bad, bad and more bad!" Verreos laughs. "I would cut that braid off and give him some color, maybe around the neckline or the edges of his robe -- something!"

http://www.starwars.com/community/news/rocks/beacon159.html

I completely agree with his statement about Queen Amidala/Padme in the first three episodes. Her collection of costumes are extremely ornate and reference back to many different time periods and cultures. She would fit in on many couture runway shows and can be compared to Galliano (as stated by Mr. Verreos), John Paul Gaultier, Tao Comme des Garcons, and Hussein Chalayan Who have all put on fashion shows using the same ornate detailing and referencing as seen in Amidala's wardrobe.

...I also think that Obi-Wan Kenobi should get rid of the Jedi Mullet in Episode 2. See for yourself below.